6 days to Geneva: Polestar reveals electric '2' with 500 km of range

Many have been waiting for this Tesla Model 3-rivalling EV, and here are its main specifications:

• Based on the Volvo XC40's CMA platform
• 500 km of WLTP range with 78 kWh battery
• 300 kW of power, two electric motors
• 324 pouch cells that form one block integrated in the platform
• Exceptional torsional rigidity, low centre of gravity, exceptionally low NVH
• Android OS with Google Assistant, natural speech, always online

500km with 78kWh

The premium five-door fastback features two electric motors and a 78 kWh battery capacity allowing for a targeted range of 500 km (WLTP). The 27-module battery pack is integrated into the floor and contributes to the rigidity of the chassis as well as improves the car’s noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels – road noise has been reduced by 3.7 dB compared to a traditional chassis.

The all-wheel drive electric powertrain in Polestar 2 produces 300 kW (408 hp) and 660 Nm (487 lb-ft). This translates to a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of less than 5 seconds. It goes to show that Polestar focuses on performance rather than 100% eco-friendliness.

Android OS

The Polestar 2 is one of the first cars in the world to embed an infotainment system powered by Android. The Android backbone provides a solid and adaptable digital environment for apps and vehicle functions to coexist, and brings embedded Google services to a car for the first time – including Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store.

Natural voice control and a new 11-inch touch screen display bring the new interface to life. It will be interesting to see how the system performs compared to Tesla's.

Born to share

Phone-as-Key technology enables car sharing as well as Polestar’s connected services such as pick-up and delivery. It also allows the Polestar 2 to sense the driver upon approach. Smart features like enlarged graphics in the instrument cluster allow the driver to easily see the charging status and range before entering the car.

€40,000 to €60,000

In common with all Polestar cars, Polestar 2 will only be available for ordering online. The guide purchase price for the launch version of Polestar 2 is €59,900, but a €39,900 entry-level version will be available a year after the range-topping launch model.

Production of Polestar 2 begins in early 2020 in China for global markets in both left- and right-hand drive. Initial launch markets include China, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK. Other markets are under consideration for future expansion.